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September 27, 2015

Death of trade unionist must trigger action to tackle appalling prison conditions

Amnesty- More broadly, Amnesty International
calls on the Iranian authorities to urgently address the inhumane detention
conditions prevalent in many of Iran’s prisons, which contribute to medical
conditions developing in prisoners or exacerbate pre-existing ones. The
authorities must also ensure that all those in detention have access to
adequate medical treatment in line with international human rights standards
and ensure that those needing specialized treatment are granted medical leave.Cleric Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni
Boroujerdi, a 57-year-old serving an 11-year prison sentence on charges related
to him advocating the separation of religion and state, suffers from a number
of illnesses, including diabetes, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, kidney and heart
problems, as well as severe pain in his legs and waist. He has not been
provided with the medical treatment he requires, even though prison doctors
said in February 2014 that he needed to be hospitalized outside of prison. In
August 2015, he said: “I have experienced all kinds of torment to the point
that I have lost all of my health… my legs are becoming paralysed, my eyes are
becoming blind, my lungs are in danger of failing, my heart is on a path to a
heart attack.”

Background

Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations
Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, has expressed concern
about reports of insufficient or non-existent access to medical services for
prisoners. In his March 2015 report, the Special Rapporteur stated that a
number of prisoners were reportedly at risk of dying in prison due to
inadequate medical attention. According to the Special Rapporteur, many
prisoners are deprived of their right to receive proper medical treatment in
medical clinics and hospitals outside prison despite urgently needing medical care.1

Whether done with intent or by
neglect, failing to provide adequate medical care to prisoners is a breach of
Iran’s international human rights obligations. The denial of medical treatment
amount to a violation of the absolute prohibition of torture :